A simple futuristic green train traveling fast along a current of dispersion as it emerges from a black hole with planet Earth, Star Trek, and Star Wars spaceships hot on it’s caboose! Left or right your favorite? I think both.
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The Agincourt King
Book Title: The Agincourt King
Series: The Plantagenet Legacy
Author: Mercedes Rochelle
Publication Date: April 8, 2024
Publisher: Sergeant Press
Pages: 260 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Twitter Handle: @authorRochelle @cathiedunn
Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub
Hashtags: #TheAgincourtKing #HenryV #Agincourt, #HistoricalFiction #Plantagenet #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/05/blog-tour-the-agincourt-king-by-mercedes-rochelle.html
Book Title and Author Name:
The Agincourt King
By Mercedes Rochelle
Blurb:
From the day he was crowned, Henry V was determined to prove the legitimacy of his house. His father’s usurpation weighed heavily on his mind. Only a grand gesture would capture the respect of his own countrymen and the rest of Europe. He would follow in his great-grandfather Edward III’s footsteps, and recover lost territory in France.
Better yet, why not go for the crown? Poor, deranged Charles VI couldn’t manage his own barons. The civil war between the Burgundians and Armagnacs was more of a threat to his country than the English, even after Henry laid siege to Harfleur. But once Harfleur had fallen, the French came to their senses and determined to block his path to Calais and destroy him.
By the time the English reached Agincourt, they were starving, exhausted, and easy pickings. Or so the French thought. Little did they reckon on Henry’s leadership and the stout-hearted English archers who proved, once again, that numbers didn’t matter when God was on their side.
THE AGINCOURT KING BLOG POST
HENRY V AND HIS BROTHERS
Henry V was fortunate in that he had three brothers to assist him—especially considering he spent most of his reign in France. His relationship with his next brother Thomas, Duke of Clarence, was a bit rocky. Thomas was their father’s favorite. He was handsome, robust, bold to the point of recklessness, and to all appearances, he looked like a king. Many thought Prince Hal looked like he should have gone into the priesthood.
So while their father was alive, the stress between Prince Hal and Thomas was undeniable. Hal diligently performed his duties as commander during the Welsh rebellion. Thomas, on the other hand, was made Lieutenant in Ireland but shirked his responsibilities and came back home, putting his second in command in charge. King Henry preferred Thomas at home, so he didn’t object. That drove Hal crazy and he complained about it whenever possible. Toward the end of Henry IV’s reign, when Hal fell into disgrace, Thomas did all he could to stir up trouble against his brother. He was the one sent to France with an army while Hal sought to clear his name with his father.
All that changed in March, 1413, when the 45 year-old Henry IV died, a broken man. Hal was more than ready to mount the throne as Henry V, and he knew he had to put his personal feelings aside. After all, Thomas was his heir. However, it’s also true that when Henry made his will in 1415 and 1417, Thomas was not mentioned as a beneficiary. Nonetheless, on campaign, Thomas was given positions of responsibility. The soldiers loved him. He could be counted on in the field, though when we take a closer look, we see that Henry seems to have wanted to keep him under his direct control. For instance, rarely was Thomas given the opportunity to be regent in the king’s absence (like his other two brothers).
At Harfleur, Thomas, now Duke of Clarence led a contingent to the other side of the town from the king; he distinguished himself at the siege to Henry’s satisfaction. In fact, when it came to the time for Harfleur to surrender, they sent representatives to Clarence rather than Henry, hoping to get better treatment. Afterwards, however, when deciding whether to return to England or continue overland to Calais, he argued so aggressively against Henry that the king sent him home. It was said that Clarence was incapacitated by dysentery, but many historians think this was a cover for him to save face, since he went to Calais instead of England. Obviously, he wasn’t at Agincourt!
In 1421, Thomas was finally given sole command in France; this was the year Henry went back to England with his new bride. Finally, Thomas would have the chance to make a name for himself! Unfortunately, at Baugé, he imprudently led an undermanned attack against a Franco-Scottish army, not bothering to wait for his archers. The battle was a crushing defeat that ended in his own death—and advertised to the French that the English were not unbeatable. Henry cut short his progress in England and returned to France so he could reverse the damage done. Did he mourn his brother? There doesn’t seem to be much evidence of this.
John, the next in line, has come down to us as very capable, solid, steadfast, a good warrior and a great leader. After the 1408 Percy rebellion, John was sent north to serve as the Warden of the East Marches of Scotland, an eleven-year stint as gave him solid training to take over as regent when Henry went on his Agincourt campaign. On Henry V’s ascension, John was created Duke of Bedford, the name he has been known to posterity. In late 1416, John was put in command of a fleet to take provisions to Harfleur, already under siege by a combined Franco-Genoese navy. Attacking the besiegers, Bedford fought for seven hours against the formidable Genoese carracks which towered over the English ships. Ultimately, the English were victorious and decisively lifted the siege, and the conflict, known as the Battle of the Seine, once again demonstrated their vaunted invincibility.
Humphrey, the youngest brother, was made Duke of Gloucester at Henry’s coronation. He was the only one of Henry IV’s sons that wasn’t given a position of responsibility in his youth. Humphrey was a great collector of books (his collection formed the core of the Oxford University library) and quite the intellectual. Henry took him under his wing, slowly giving him more and more responsibility. He was eager to prove himself and showed quite a knack for managing the artillery, so Henry gave him plenty of opportunity to hone his skills. He was seriously injured at the Battle of Agincourt, but the king straddled his prone body and defended him until he was dragged to safety. This was to be the only pitched battle Humphrey ever fought in, but he otherwise proved himself a clever and able commander during the subsequent sieges while the king strived to conquer Normandy. On Henry’s last campaign, Bedford fought in France and Gloucester served as regent in England, so he must have demonstrated enough competence to be trusted.
When Henry died in 1422, he appointed Bedford as regent of France and also of England—when he was present. He outranked his younger brother. He served in France until he died in 1435, and did a very good job of holding onto Henry VI’s patrimony. He won a major victory at the Battle of Verneuil against a Franco-Scottish force in 1424, which many historians feel was on a par with Agincourt.
Gloucester’s role was more ambiguous. On Henry V’s death, he was assigned as protector of the baby Henry VI, but the child’s upbringing and education were given to Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter (and Henry’s half-uncle). Henry apparently also wanted Humphrey to be Regent, though the wording of his last wishes was open to interpretation. Gloucester insisted that he should be Regent by right of his birth. However, the lords in Parliament had other ideas and he had to be satisfied with Protector and Defender of the realm and head of the Council. By now, Humphrey had begun to demonstrate unsettling tendencies toward self-aggrandisement which would later prove his downfall. He constantly clashed with his uncle, Bishop Henry Beaufort, one of the leading members of the Council, and this antagonism caused major problems during the long minority of Henry VI. I’ll be working on that in future books!
Buy Links:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mq70Ze
Author Bio:
Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. The next series is called “The Plantagenet Legacy” and begins with the reign of Richard II.
She also writes a blog: www.HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story. Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the Univ. of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!
Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Author Links:
Website: https://mercedesrochelle.com/
Blog: https://historicalbritainblog.com/
Twitter / X: https://x.com/authorrochelle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedesrochelle.net
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mercedes-rochelle
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mercedes-Rochelle/author/B001KMG5P6 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1696491.Mercedes_Rochelle
Nectar Self-Love and Care
From Amazon:
In this three-part inspirational series, Nectar: Words of Self-Love and Care, the second book, continues where book one, the awrad-winning Honey: Words to Heal and Mend, began with a journey of applying words of gold to our soul like the art of Kintsugi.
Based on the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi teaches us to apply liquid gold into the cracks of broken pottery and turn a once-believed lost item into a work of art. In this same manner, we no longer look at ourselves as broken or lost. Instead, we heal our wounds and find beauty in our flaws. We embrace how imperfectly perfect we are with this book of self-love and care affirmations.
My Review:
I’m always in awe of the poetry and various verbiage with filled my soul to overflow. Pure nectar, ambrosia, or 999.9 gold are perfect words and convey much within a few words. Love is golden, love is perfect, love yourself, and you love others. I’m always in a happy and upbeat mood after reading one of Derek and Julie’s books. This one is especially so. Thank you. I needed a lift today, and you shot me into the stratosphere.
A Fatal Reception
From Amazon:
Gilded Age trouser diva Ella Shane and her Duke are at long last headed for the altar…but they’ll confront a murder, a shipwreck, a questionable Polish prince, and any number of other complications on the way. Continuing the highly praised series featuring a Lower East Side orphan who found fame and fortune as a singer of male soprano roles, this new installment follows Ella and her surprisingly diverse cast of family and friends through mystery and misadventure…and into the greatest challenge of all for an independent-minded woman and her Victorian swain: matrimony!
My Review:
I love a good romance, and that is what this book is. Indeed, more than one romance, add in a few thieves, a never do well prince, the acting and operatic world of New York City and a crime lord, plus all the nice things that happen at tea time. Mix liberally with one murder, and a Duke of her dreams, and Ella Shane pops to life after a worried three days waiting on word from her betrothed, who was on board a ship that sank in the northern Atlantic. The vintage clothing described herein fits perfectly in this novel.
Under A Cloud
Book Title: Under A Cloud
Series: The Rival Courts
Author: Luv Lubker
Publication Date: April 30th, 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 318
Genre: Historical Fiction
Twitter Handles: @LubkerLuv @cathiedunn
Instagram Handles: @LLubker @theCoffeePotBookClub
Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #VictorianFiction #VictorianEra #GermanHistory #UnderACloud #LuvLubker #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/06/blog-tour-under-a-cloud-by-luv-lubker.html
Book Title and Author Name:
Under A Cloud
Luv Lubker
Audiobook will be narrated by Ella McNish, Jamie Collette and a full cast.
Blurb:
Vicky’s father, Albert, the Prince Consort, has just died, leaving her and her family under a heavy cloud of grief, without their dearest friend and advisor, at a most critical time: The political horizon grows dark with storm clouds at the entry of Bismarck to Germany’s political stage in 1862.
Will Fritz’s courage stand the test as he confronts the spider in its web? Is Prussia really fighting for the rights of the Schleswig people, or is so much blood being shed for the sake of Prussia’s aggrandizement?
Join Vicky and Fritz on their journeys under the blue cloudless skies of the Mediterranean to the peaceful heather-clad hills of the Highlands of Scotland; to the burning heat of the North African desert to the raging blizzards of a winter war in Denmark.
When Vicky’s closest friend disappears, will she be able to keep the secret? Will old enemies prove to be friends, and old friends prove to be enemies?
Under A Cloud
Excerpt 4:
Bang! Fritz broke the surface of the water, looking about, startled. He had gone out for a swim daily since their arrival at Putbus. He had been under water, when he was sure he had heard the firing of a gun.
There it was again. Bang! Bang! He scrambled ashore, water streaming over his face as he ran his hand over his hair, and hurried up the beach towards the castle, forgetting his state of undress. He must know what this was about. He crouched down, stepping carefully through the underbrush, not wishing to be seen.
Bang! “Yes! I hit the top one!” he heard Vicky cry. “Can you?” He paused, watching the scene. Vicky had said she would teach Princess Putbus to shoot. He had forgotten about it. Bang! Bang! He watched, feeling a burst of pride as Vicky hit nearly impossible targets.
He was about to call out to her, when he became suddenly very aware of the twigs and brambles scratching at his legs and his bare chest as he crouched in the undergrowth. Water pooled at his feet, dripping heavily from his Schwimmhosen.
“Vicky?” he called softly. She looked around, obviously puzzled where his voice came from. “Vicky!” he called a little louder. She turned in the direction of the path to the beach, obviously expecting his voice to be coming from that direction. “Over here,” he called again.
“Fritz?” she called, hurrying towards him.
“Vicky, tell Princess Putbus not to come,” he said. Vicky paused, returning to her friend who was just starting towards them. She whispered something in her ear, and the Princess returned to the castle.
“Fritz, where are you?” Vicky cried, running back towards the thicket.
“Here.” He waved his arm, making the bush he knelt behind wave about. “I heard your shooting, and had forgotten what you said you would be doing, and wondered what was going on. And – ach! I think I need help getting up. These are digging into my legs. You have a sword with you, too, I see. Will you lend it to me?”
The sword hilt protruded through the bush, and he took it carefully, quickly cutting away some of the sharp branches. He rose, stepping out from behind the bush, but not fully. “I must go back to the beach.”
Vicky doubled over with laughter. “Fritz, it is not like you to forget your clothes,” she giggled.
Buy Links:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mB1L5N
Author Bio:
Luv Lubker has lived in the Victorian era half her life, making friends with the Brontë sisters and the extended family of Queen Victoria. Now she knows them quite as well as her own family.
Born in a cattle trough in the Appalachian mountains, Luv lives in Texas – when she comes to the modern world.
When she isn’t living in the Victorian era, she enjoys being with her family; making and eating delicious raw food, riding her bike (which she only learned to ride at 25, though she has ridden a unicycle since she was 7), and watching animals – the passion of her childhood.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.therivalcourts.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LubkerLuv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRivalCourts/
and https://www.facebook.com/luvy.lubker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luv-lubker-1916b81b0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llubker/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/luvlubker/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Luv-Lubker/author/B0C5TRY327 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21511046.Luv_Lubker
Meet Shane Paul Donley
Unimaginable.
Your tiny form was perfect as I saw you
naked with your umbilical cord wrapped
around both your neck and left arm twice.
She didn’t let me hold you.
She didn’t even find one scrap of cloth
to wrap you in.
She coldly dug a hole in the ground next
to George, your step-granddad.
She showed me your earthly body, in her
hand, unclothed.
She took your umbilical cord and unwrapped
it from your left arm, then your neck.
She traumatized me yet again, and she had
a helper, Elizabeth, who made sure I couldn’t
get away from her actions.
She wrapped your cord around your neck twice,
then left arm twice.
She placed you naked in a shoebox, no baby
blanket or scrap of cloth.
She laid the shoebox into the shallow hole
she’d dug.
I tried to go in with you, Elizabeth held me
back.
Mama will never forget you!
I love you more!
Mom
Romance Squirrels?
Dead Pretty
From Amazon:
Dead Pretty
1977 – Six student nurses embark on their nurse training at Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital.
They are young, excited and soon develop a strong friendship bond within their cohort. But there is a predator amongst them. A man that takes great delight in killing young, pretty girls. He’s done it before. He watches their movements to decide which one is next. And then he kills for the thrill.
A student disappears – quickly followed by another. There are no leads, no evidence, and no bodies.
He’s clever. But is he as astute as he thinks he is?
5.0 out of 5 stars Twists galore Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2024
Well, this book has it all. The hooks are well placed, the insanity coming out in bits at a time, the characters have ongoing family hardships, and no young girl was safe at Harlow Wood. When you think you have it figured out, it changes! This murder mystery and love story hits the highs and the lows. Although I had an idea of who the perpetrator was, I was both right and wrong!!! Great twist, right? Five stars.
Shifters
From Amazon:
Elysians are the apex species of the galaxy. Their technology is rivaled by none. Yet, lurking in the darkness of space, an aggressive alien race is watching with ominous intent. The resulting conflict is an epic war across the galaxy. Cloning, interstellar travel, extra stellar travel, advanced civilizations, Mycenean Age humans, evil alien invaders, bio-weapons, energy weapons, personal fliers, teleportation, mind possession, mind implants, androids, artificial intelligence, spies, defectors, wise-ass aliens, nice aliens, personal relationships, lost loves, new loves, planetary romance, space romance, space battles, spaceships, Space Marines… Space! You read that and more in the first installment of the series “SHIFTERS 01: Survival is not optional.”
5.0 out of 5 stars SciFi all the way Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024
If you love all things sci-fi and space battles, different species, how some are integrated into a matrix, how some species can live a very long life, especially with reintegration, although it takes 100 years to complete the process, if you like technology that we on earth and no sci-fi show has done, this is the book for you.
Empire State
From Amazon:
Returning to Brooklyn after attending the wedding in the Sunshine State of her beloved brother, Salvatore, Loretta intends to resume the quiet life she has led for the last several years since retiring from being a nurse. Sixty years old and described by her best friend as a beautiful woman with curves, divorced for the last thirteen years she has given up on any notions of finding someone to love again. The only man romantically interested in her is her ex brother-in-law. Loretta is determined to never date him.
A pleasant encounter with a handsome mature man from Texas who has recently moved to New York at the bakery where she works part time complicates her decision to remain single. A curious infatuation turns to undeniable attraction when she again sees him at the bakery the next day.
Shepherd Sumner left Texas in the hopes of healing his broken heart after a bitter divorce. Hesitant to start a new relationship as his past emotional wounds continue to tear him apart, Loretta’s beauty and spirit weaken his resistance not to love again. Being a western romance author, he can seduce with the words he writes. He soon discovers the will to say what’s on his heart. In doing so, Loretta finds the courage to fall in love with him and to feel like a princess who has met her fairytale prince in a place referred to as the Empire State.
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice short romance Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
This was a nice short romance read perfect for those who prefer two hour reads. Lots of romance, lots of sass, and the pain from broken relationships. The end is nicely wrapped up.
When Angels Fly 